Abstract: A system and method of simulating and optimizing industrial and other processes includes a computer that performs multivariate analysis of input variables and output variables to generate a data model of the operation of the process. For industrial applications, the input variables include process variables and the output variables include result variables from the operation of the industrial process. The data model determines contributions to changes in the output or result variables by the respective input or process variables and is provided to a predictive algorithm to identify parameter values for input or process variables expected to have a most significant impact on the output or result variables during performance of the process. The outputs of the predictive algorithm are parameter values that are provided as input or process variables to the industrial process for simulation or performance optimization or product recommendations/optimizations.

Abstract: A backlight for providing uniform illumination to a display panel includes a plurality of discrete light sources. A multilayer polymeric partial reflector is disposed on the plurality of discrete light sources. For substantially normally incident light the partial reflector includes a reflection band includes a blue wavelength, a reflectance greater than about 80% at the blue wavelength, a left band edge between about 370 nm to about 420 nm, a right band edge between about 500 nm and 600 nm, and an average transmission between about 20% to about 80% for visible wavelengths greater than the right band edge. A reflective polarizer is disposed on the partial reflector. For substantially normally incident light having the blue wavelength, the reflective polarizer reflects at least 60% of the light having the first polarization state and transmits at least 60% of the light having the second polarization state.

Abstract: Electric field grading compositions comprise a particulate cupric oxide dispersed in a matrix material, wherein the electric field grading composition has a threshold voltage, a breakdown voltage, and exhibits a reversible electric field switchable current-voltage relationship that substantially follows the equation: I=kV? wherein: I is current in amperes; k is a constant greater than 0; V is applied voltage in volts, wherein V is between the threshold voltage and the breakdown voltage, inclusive; and ? is a real number greater than 1. The electric field grading composition is useful for reducing electric field stress at a joint or termination of a conductive substrate. Articles including the electric field grading disposed on a surface of a conductive substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical cable subassembly includes one or more optical waveguides, at least light coupling unit comprising a first attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides, and at least one cable retainer comprising a second attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides and adapted to be installed in a housing. A length of the optical waveguides between the first attachment area and the second attachment area allows a bend in the optical waveguides that provides a predetermined mating spring force at a predetermined angle of the light coupling unit when installed in the housing.

Abstract: A unitary optical ferrule is molded to include one or more elements for receiving and securing one or more optical waveguides one or more elements for affecting one or more characteristics of light from the optical waveguide while propagating the light within the ferrule. The optical ferrule also includes one or more first alignment features and one or more second alignment features that, when the ferrule is mated with a mating ferrule, each controls alignment of the ferrule with the mating ferrule along three mechanical degrees of freedom. The surface of the optical ferrule can be divided along the thickness axis into a first section and an opposing second section, wherein the first section of the surface includes the receiving and securing elements, the light affecting elements, and the first alignment features and the second section of the surface includes the second alignment features.

Abstract: A multilayer electric field grading article comprises first and second layers forming a discrete interface. The first layer comprises a first electric field grading composition comprising first particles dispersed in a first matrix material. The second layer comprises a second electric field grading composition comprising second particles, compositionally different than the first particles, dispersed in a second matrix material. The first and second layers have respective first and second degrees of nonlinearity between respective first and second onset voltages and corresponding first and second breakdown voltages. The first and second layers taken together have a combined onset voltage that is higher than the first and second onset voltages, and the first and second layers taken together have a greater combined degree of nonlinearity than each of the first and second degrees of nonlinearity taken individually.

Abstract: The invention relates to a curable composition comprising a resin matrix, the resin matrix comprising cationically curable components (A) and radiation curable components (B), a curing system, the curing system comprising a starter (A-S) suitable for curing the cationically curable components (A) and a photo-initiator (B-I), the curable composition being provided as a Base Part and Catalyst Part being separated before use, wherein the Base Part comprises components (A) and (B) and wherein the Catalyst Part comprises components (A-S) and (B-I). The composition can be used for taking a dental impression including the subgingival parts.

Abstract: A respiratory protection device that includes a valve assembly operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In some exemplary embodiments, the respiratory protection device includes an elastomeric seal, and a valve assembly and a breathing air source component are in sealing engagement with the elastomeric seal when the valve assembly is in the closed configuration.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to layers comprising a body having a thickness, T, comprising a curable composition comprising a polymerizable epoxy-acrylate resin composition and abrasive particles at least partially embedded in the polymerizable epoxy-acrylate resin composition, wherein the body includes a plurality of void spaces free of the curable composition extending into the body from the first major surface and the depth of the plurality of void spaces is at least 10 percent of thickness T. The disclosure also relates to cured compositions formed from such curable compositions and, in turn, abrasive articles made from such cured compositions as well as methods for making abrasive articles.

Abstract: A reduced-pressure treatment system for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site at a limited-access location on a patient includes a reduced-pressure source, a treatment manifold for placing proximate the tissue site and operable to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site, and a sealing member for placing over the tissue site and operable to form a pneumatic seal over the tissue site. The reduced-pressure treatment system also includes a reduced-pressure bridge and a moisture-removing device on at least portion of the reduced-pressure bridge. The reduced-pressure bridge includes a delivery manifold operable to transfer the reduced pressure to the treatment manifold, an encapsulating envelope at least partially enclosing the delivery manifold and having a patient-facing side, and a reduced-pressure-interface site formed proximate one end of the reduced-pressure bridge.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for applying coatings on a moving web are provided. A coating die and a back-up roll engage with each other. The back-up roll includes a shell rotatably supported by a pressurized air layer. When a coating material is dispensed from the coating die onto the web to form a liquid coating, the pressure of the air layer is controlled such that the shell translates in space to balance forces from the air layer and the coating bead, while the web is being translated to drive the shell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flame-retardant pressure-sensitive adhesive, comprising reaction products of the following reaction compositions based a total weight of the reaction compositions as 100 wt. %: 35-99 wt. % of a (meth)acrylate copolymer containing a functional reactive functional group, the functional reactive functional group comprising one or a plurality of the following groups: carboxyl group, hydroxyl group and epoxy group; the (meth)acrylate copolymer containing the functional reactive functional group being formed by free radical polymerization of one or a plurality of monomers; and 1-65 wt. % of a reactive organophosphorus flame retardant capable of reacting with the functional reactive functional group, the reactive organophosphorus flame retardant being formed by reaction of reaction components comprising the following substances: a compound or oligomer containing n epoxy groups, wherein n>=2, and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide.

Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus comprising a rotationally-activated braking device that comprises at least one flexure-borne pawl.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stethoscope comprising a stethoscope chestpiece comprising a body member having a bottom surface and an ejector mark disposed on the bottom surface. The stethoscope chestpiece has a weight of at least 50 g, a surface roughness (Ra) no greater than 1.6 microns in an unpolished state, and reflectivity (% R) of at least 60% in an unpolished state. The stethoscope chestpiece can be produced by injection molding, extruding, or pressing a metallic thermoplastic composition into a mould forming a green molded body, debinding a portion of binder material from green molded body forming a brown molded body without reducing the temperature by more than 80° C., and sintering the brown molded body to form the stethoscope chestpiece.

Abstract: An optical film includes a plurality of polymeric layers shaped along orthogonal first and second directions. A first curve being an intersection of the optical film with a first plane orthogonal to the second direction and to a reference plane has a best-fit first circular arc subtending a first angle at a center of curvature of the first circular arc of greater than 180 degrees where the optical film has a maximum projected area in the reference plane. A second curve being an intersection of the optical film with a second plane orthogonal to the first direction and to the reference plane has a best-fit second circular arc subtending a second angle at a center of curvature of the second circular arc of at least 30 degrees. Reflectance and transmittance of the optical film are described.

Abstract: Polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of intumescent particles distributed within the polymeric network structure; wherein the intumescent particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the intumescent particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite volumetrically expands at least 2 times its initial volume when exposed to at least one temperature greater than 135° C.; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as fillers, thermally initiated fuses, and fire stop devices.

Abstract: A composition is described comprising at least one fluoropolymer. The fluoropolymer comprises at least 90% by weight based on the total weight of the fluoropolymer of polymerized units derived from perfluorinated monomers selected from tetrafluoroethene (TFE) and one or more unsaturated perfluorinated alkyl ethers and a fluorinated additive having a Mw of no greater than 50,000 g/mole comprising a partially fluorinated or perfluorinated alkyl or ether group. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises a fluorinated solvent. Also described are substrates comprising a coated surface of the fluoropolymer composition described herein.